Power, length likely to be key at BMW International Open

text size

Franklin/Getty Images

Martin Kaymer will defend his title in his home country this week at the BMW International Open.

MUNICH (AP) -- Power could prove to be the decisive factor when the BMW International Open at the Nord Eichenried Golf Club just to the north of Munich tees off on Thursday.

Architects have spent the winter lengthening the course to nearly 7,100 yards, and their attempts to counter the longer hitters on the European Tour have been helped by the almost incessant rainfall that has fallen in Bavaria this week.

For those players who last weekend were battling the elements in the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, Munich is likely to offer more of the same.

And while the degree to which they suffer from jetlag could play a part after the U.S. Open was extended to a Monday finish, the eventual winner of the BMW International could be drawn from the ranks of those who have been racking up their air miles.

Certainly Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who finished ninth and 10th respectively in Long Island will know their game is in good shape to take on the challenge.

McIlroy, who only celebrated his 20th birthday in May, is certainly confident that he can add to his maiden European title, which was collected at the Dubai Desert Classic in January.

"I had a top 20 on my debut at the Masters and a top 10 in my first U.S. Open, and that has given me a lot of confidence to move forward for the rest of the summer," McIlroy said.

For Stenson, his performance in America was a welcome return to form. After winning THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP in May, he returned to Europe and promptly missed two consecutive cuts.

Stenson and McIlroy are both ranked among the biggest hitters in Europe, and so is Martin Kaymer who, in winning the 2008 BMW International title, became the first German for 21 years to win a tournament on home soil.

It is memories of that victory that Kaymer hopes will inspire him to a repeat performance rather than recent form -- he missed the cut at the U.S. Open.

"Last year, I had goose bumps when I heard the cheers from the German crowd on the last hole, and I would like to hear them again," Kaymer said. "But the course here in Munich has always been tough, and now they have extended it."

Pre-publicity for the event has labeled the duel between 24-year-old Kaymer and McIlroy as the 'battle of the wunderkind.' However, the European Tour's brightest young stars might not have it all their own way.

Also in Munich is America's John Daly, who is beginning a three-tournament warm up to next month's British Open at Turnberry, as well as European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and Germany's longtime golfing hero Bernhard Langer, who is taking a break from the Champions Tour.